Exciting and Important Information

For Your Church, Clergy, and Staff

As the NACCC Associate Executive Secretary who works closely with the needs of clergy, I am convinced that certain services offered to clergy and church staff are crucial for the future of our Association. If ministry is worthwhile, and I believe it is, then our workers ought to be safeguarded and cared for to the best of our ability. I believe that if benefits are provided for them, clergy and staff can and will find it easier to focus their energy on the important work that God has given them to do. And if we believe that our NACCC Mission Statement is, "to encourage and assist local churches in their development of vibrant and effective witnesses to Christ in Congregational ways," then we need to find and provide crucial services to enable our churches to be successful.

To that end, I am excited to bring you the GREAT news that beginning October 1, 2002, your NACCC will be offering a comprehensive benefit package and nationwide health plan to all member churches for staff and clergy.

NACCC Executive Secretary the Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard signs agreement that will bring significant new benefits to clergy and church staff members. The team that made it all possible are NACCC Controller Marina Rosenberg, the Rev. Phil R. Jackson, and the Rev. Dr. Jay M. Terbush, Chairman of the Division for Ministry.

As I write this article, we are preparing an informational brochure to be mailed out to all member churches outlining both the Retirement/Death Benefit Plans and the PremierHealth medical/dental plans. More information will be available by calling the phone numbers provided in the brochures. Come to think of it, you ought to receive the mailing long before you read this article, so if you need another brochure then call me (1-800-262-1620) and I will send one to you.

The Retirement/Death Benefit Plans can be broken down into three parts: retirement contributions, disability benefits, and group term life insurance.

PremierHealthis a nationwide, portable group plan offered through CIGNA HealthCare. Most will be served by a Preferred Physicians Options (PPO) or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), while some rural areas have old-fashioned indemnity coverage. Anyone who works at least 19 hours a week and is already insured can enter the plan October 1-30, 2002. New employees can enroll within 30 days of their starting date, and once a year a 30-day window allows for new enrollees.

Both the Retirement/Death Benefit Plans and PremierHealth are made possible by a new and unique partnership between us and The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) of American Baptist Churches.

I am confident that by having these plans available we can serve our clergy and workers better, attract quality clergy to our ranks and retain ministers who otherwise might leave us for a group with benefits.

So get Ready! Call MMBB! (1-800-986-6222 or e-mail service@mmbb.org) Work closely with my office and your church boards! Because October 1 is closer than you think!

The Rev. Phil R. Jackson is NACCC Executive Secretary responsible for Pastoral Relations.